Elia Luigi Vendramin, born January 19, 1937, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family from this world into eternal life on January 14th, 2023.
Elia is survived and celebrated by his loving wife Sara of 58 years; his children, Anna (Mark), Giulia (Tom), Laura, Antonio (Carrie), and Cristina (Brian). He will be forever remembered and cherished by his ten grandchildren, Kyle, Dom Aelred Maria, OSB (Lucas), Sara, Emily, Brendan, Jacob, Samuel, Kate, Jenna, Matthew, his five great-grandchildren Leo, Zelie, Stella, Gianna, Gemma, and his two sisters in Verona, Italy, Evelina and Ida.
Elia was born and raised in Treviso, Italy. In 1960, he demonstrated the courage that his own children always admired by moving to Vancouver, Canada, to start a new life. In 1964, he returned home and met and married his love, Sara, on September 9, 1964. Returning to Canada, they started their family and eventually found agricultural land and settled in Langley, B.C. Reflecting on those years in their first home together, they called that time “the best times of our lives.” In addition to his own children, Elia’s greatest joy was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was at his happiest sharing a home-cooked meal surrounded by his whole family. He leaves a legacy of what matters most … faith and family. Elia was generous, he was kind, he was honest, and he loved to joke and laugh. He would tell his children, “Money is not important. Have enough so you can enjoy life, but don’t live your life for money."
No words can truly express what Elia means to his family. They are eternally grateful for how his hard work and self-sacrifice helped produce a beautiful and fruitful life together in Canada. His wife and children cherish their lives with Elia up to and including their last moments together.
Special thanks to the Fraser Health care aides, nurses and doctors at Langley Memorial Hospital, Dr. Mary Borg, Dr. Randeep S. Dhami, Dr. Stephanie Cripps, Reverend Nixon D’Silva, and to the first responders who always demonstrated care and dignity towards Elia and his family as his health declined.
Vigil prayers will take place at 8:00 pm, January 25th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 20676 Fraser Highway, Langley. Funeral Mass at 11:00 am, January 26th. Reception to follow. Final resting place at Gardens of Gethsemani.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Silverstream Priory in Ireland ( https://www.cenacleosb.org/help ) would be appreciated.